The leader of the House of Lords said on Sunday she would probe allegations that some its members expressed readiness to seek amendments to legislation in exchange for cash.

The Sunday Times newspaper said that four peers from the ruling Labour Party — including two former ministers — had agreed to help undercover reporters posing as business lobbyists to obtain amendments for between 24,000 pounds and 120,000 pounds a year.

Janet Royall — Labour's leader of the House of Lords — said in a statement that she would pursue the claims “with the utmost vigour.”

The House of Lords's Code of Conduct notes that its members “must never accept any financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising parliamentary influence.” According to the Sunday Times, Thomas Taylor declined to propose a potential amendment himself, but said he would work “behind the scenes” to sway ministers and officials.

Taylor — a former consultant for defence manufacturer BAE Systems — reportedly agreed to a 120,000-pound-a-year retainer.

Responding to the claims, Taylor said he was approached by two people claiming to work for a lobbying firm and that they had suggested taking him on as an advisor. He never said he would accept a fee, he added.

Former energy minister Peter Truscott similarly said he would work behind the scenes for up to 72,000 pounds, the paper said. Lewis Moonie, a former defence minister, said he would help for 30,000 pounds a year, while the Sunday Times also reported that Peter Snape indicated he would help for 24,000 pounds.

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